Automatic mail-box signal



July 1 1924.

H. GUY

AUTOMATIC MAIL BOX SIGNAL Filed Sent. 6 1923 Patented July 1, 1924.

' HENRY w. GUY, or KANSASCITY, MISSOURI.

AUTOMATIC MAIL-BOX SIGNAL.

Application filed September 6, 1923. Serial No. 661,203.

nalling devices for mail boxes, and has for its primary object theprovision of an attachable indicator which may be used with the ordinaryrural mail receptacle.

A further object of the invention is to provide a mail box signal, witha minimum number of parts, that will automatically indicate the placingof mail or other matter in the box, yet allow the door to be returned toa closed position without disturbing the position of the'indicatormember.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of anautomatic mail box signal which is extremely easy to install, may beapplied to practically any type of rural mail box, and will be positivein its operation at all times.

The invention further provides an automatic mail box signal which isextremely easy to make, strong and durable in structure, and is notlikely to get out of order.

With the foregoing general objects in view, the invention will now bedescribed by reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating oneform of construction which I have devised for embodying the invention,after which the various novel features will be particularly set forthand claimed.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is an end view of a mail box with the automatic signal in placeand the indicator in a raised position.

Figure 2 is a section on line II-II of Figure 1 looking in the directionof the arrow.

Figure 3 is also a section on the line IIII of Figure 1 looking in thedirection of the arrow, but with the signal in a raised position.

Figure 4 is a corresponding section, showing a modified form of theinvention and Figure 5 is a section on line VV of Figure 1 looking inthe direction of the arrow.

Referring to the drawings in detail, a support 6 may be formed of anysuitable material and made in any form to afford rigid means of holdingthe operative parts in their relative positions. Support 6 may bestandard 22. mains the same and, while I have illustrated fastened tothe bottom of the mail box B by screws or analogous means 7 which passthrough spacers 8 used to afford ample clearance between the mail box Band sup port 6 for the hereinafter described movable parts of theinvention.

' 9 is a bracket rigidly attached to door D by bolts or like means 10,while 11 is a recess formed to receive pin 12. which is held in positionby transverse pin 14 and, 13 is a connecting arm loosely grippedadjacent one end of arm 13 by said pin 12.

When the mail box door Dv is closed, with the device in a position suchas shown in Figure 3, the indicator or flag 15 isin a down ornon-indicating position. Upon opening door D with its attached bracket9, arm 13 is caused to assume the position shown in dotted lines ofFigure 2. This movement operates toggle links 16 and 17 connected by ashouldered rivet 18 which slides in slot 19 of arm '13. The lower end oftoggle'link 17 is pivotally attached at 20 to support 6, while the upperextremity of toggle link 16 is pivotally connectedas at 21 to indicatorstandard 22 which is "pivotally mounted on support 6 at point 23. A

collar 24 may be provided to hold standard diate points 18 and 21 mayhave a pin 27.

passing through a slot 28 in support 6. When indicator 15 attains anupright position, pin 27 rests in notch 29 and prevents further movementuntil, by means of knob 30, the toggle arms and indicator are normallyreset to the position of starting shown in Figure 3.

The advantage of slot 19 in arm 13 lies in the fact that after door D isopened, and the indicator raised, it may be closed again withoutallowing indicator 15 to lower. Re-setting is performed when the ownerobtains his mai v The indicator or flag 15 may besecured to standard 22in either one of two positions toinsure its being seen from a distance.

The modified form shown in Figure 4 eliminates brace 25 and supplies anangled The principle of operation re and described what is deemed to bea preferred form and one modification of the in vention, I desire tosecure the right to make all such formal changes or modifications as mayfairly fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Having described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. An automatic mail box signal, comprising" in combination with thedoor of a mail box a slotted support, an indicator, toggle-linkactuating means and means for returning said indicator to a set positionconnecting one of said toggle links and the slot in said support.

2. An automatic mail box signal, comprising in combination with the doorof a mail box, a slotted support adjacent said mail box, an indicatorpivotally mounted on said slotted support, a plurality of toggle linksfor actuating said indicator when the door is opened and means forreturning aid indicator to a set position pivotally connected to one ofsaid toggle links.

3. An automatic mail box signal, comprising in combination with the doorof a mail box, a support having integral means for retaining a pivotallymounted indicator in a signalling position, said indicator being carriedby said support and having toggle actuating means therefor connectingsaid door and said indicator and means for releasing and returning saidindicator to a set position.

4. An automatic mail box signal, comprising in combination with the doorof a mail box, a slotted support in spaced relation and parallel to oneside of said mail box having a retaining notch continuing from the slot,an indicator, toggle actuating means whereby said indicator is raised toa signalling position when said door is opened and manually operatedmeans for returning said indicator to a set position disposed throughthe slot in said support.

5. An automatic mail box signal, comprising in combination with the doorof said mail box, a support adjacent said mail box, an indicator,actuating means connecting said door and said indicator comprising adoor bracket, toggle links, and a slotted connecting arm whereby saidindicator is raised to the upright position by the opening of said door,and caused to remain in said upright position when said door is againclosed.

6. An automatic signal for hinged-door mail boxes, comprising incombination, a slotted plate, an indicator pivotally mounted thereon,toggle links pivotally attached to said indicator and said supportingplate and operatinglevers carried by said toggle links for raising andlowering said indicator.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 1st day ofSeptember, 1923.

HENRY W. GUY.

